NATIONAL JUDGES THINK BIGApril 2007During the National Best of NAMA judging, February 17 in Kansas City, 20 judges had the difficult task of picking the best of 433 entries. Choosing the best of these entries required some big thinking on the part of the judges.

The Best of NAMA, sponsored by the National Agri-Marketing Association, honor the best in agricultural marketing communications. Both companies and agencies submit their work for this competition, which is one of the tools used to evaluated creative marketing communications and public relations success in the industry.

The regional awards process began in October 2006. Companies and agencies entered their work to the regional competition. Part of the regional entry fee was in turn, returned to the chapter where the person submitting the entry is a member. Entries were then judged in one of six different regions. Overall there were 1,089 entries in the six regions with more than 50 judges participating. These entries were evaluated over a two-day period in November in Kansas City. Judging was held in conjunction with the Agribusiness Forum.

Regional judges were required to have at least three years of industry experience.

First place and merit winners from each region were then eligible to advance to the national competition. National judges were required to have five years of industry experience.

Judges determine first place and merit winners in advertising and public relations. First place entries are then eligible for Best of Show awards, presented in the areas of Advertising, Public Relations and Specialty Categories.

All awards will be presented at the Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show in Dallas on April 11.